Sprinkler head



V. G- M GRAW SPRINKLER HEAD Jan. 19, 1954 Filed Aug. 15, 1950 INVENTOR. VINCENT G. MCGRAW Patented Jan. 19, 1954 TED ESTATES PATENT OFFICE SPRINKLER HEAD Vincent G. McGraw, Front Royal, Va.,:assignor to American Viscose Corporation, ,Wjlming'ton, 7 Del, acorporatien of Delaware A plication August 15, 1950, Seria1No.1179,5165

2 Claims. '1

This invention relates to sprinkler heads. More particularly the invention relates to a protec tive .closure device for dry 'pipe'asprinkler heads.

in the dry sprinkler system, the conduits car-rying the sprinkler heads do not have water-or other fire extinguishing fluid in them when not in operation. The water :or other fluidis fed to the conduits through a temperature actuated valve the temperature-sensitive actuating means heing strategically located inan area where fire is likely to occur. Since the conduits are empty it is desirable to protect the interior thereof against damage due to corrosion caused by the entrance of corrosive fumes and moisture, and the like. through the sprinkler heads, and also against clogging due to dust and dirt entering through the sprinkler heads.

order to avoid these difiicu lties it is -desirable that the sprinkler heads be closed to protect the interior of the conduits or pipes, when the system is not in operation. However, any closures, that may be employed, must be so constructed so as to :be easily removable and not interfere with the flow of water or other fire .eX-

.tinguishing fluid from the conduits after the temperature regulated valve admits the fluid .to the conduits.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a spring-loaded closure for dry .sprinkler heads which seals the head under normal non-operating conditions but which will be instantly removed when fire extinguishing fluid passes through the head without being in danger of sticking.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new closure or device for dry pipe sprinkler heads that will snap away from the head opening when the sprinkler system is actuated and will not interfere with the flow of fire extinguishing fluid therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious from the description thereof hereinafter.

Generally the objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a, sprinkler head having a pipe fitting at one end thereof which screws into the dry conduit or pipe. The opening to the conduit has inserted therein a protective closure comprising a flat disc-like member or plug which is held in place by a spring. The spring is of the compression type and so selected that when fireextinguishing fluid is admitted to the conduit, the force of the same, as it comes through the pipe fitting, will be sufficient to move the fiat washer-like member and spring,

pushing the former aside and allowing the free ejection of the fluid therefrom or against a distributor head.

For a more detailed description of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, which is merely intended to be illustrative and not limitative and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a sprinkler head, and

Figure 2 shows a plan and Figure 3 a side olevation view of the plug or disc-like member comprising the protective closure.

Referring to Figure 1, which is illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sprinkler head comprises a yoke or yoke-like member 3, extending outward from one end of which, is a threaded pipe fitting t, by means of which the sprinkler head is inserted the .dry pipe or conduit. Fastened to the other end of the yoke is a distributor head 5 which. causes "the fire extinguishing fluid hitting the same to or the like, which pin supports or positions a :steel compression spring I. I the spring extends upward and into the circular The other end of recess 8 in the plug or disc-like member 9. The

:plug is'a circular disc preferably A; inch thick and turned to a suitable diameter on one side forming a raised portion H for insertion into the fluid discharge opening of the bore or passage lll which extends through the pipe fitting 4 and yoke 3. The ridge or face E3 of the main portion [2 of the plug, rests against the seat l2a around opening Ill thus sealing the opening. The raised portion ll of the plug fits loosely in the discharge opening of the passage It. so that the same is easily removed when necessary. The raised portion II is in reality a centering means for the plug or disc-like member 9.

The disc-like member 9 is preferably made of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene). Teflon is chemically inert and suitable in the range of temperatures from F. to +400 F. Since it will not adhere to any known substance at such temperatures the device is non-clogging. Therefore the protective closure of the present invention is non-fusible. Teflon is particularly useful in the present invention because of its inertness at low temperatures since the dry pipe sprinkler system is always specified for protection where freezing temperatures are expected.

Trichlorofiuoroethylene polymers are also suitable in the present invention.

When the temperature controlled valve (not shown) is opened, due to excessive temperature caused by a fire breaking out in the vicinity of the temperature actuated valve control mechanism, the water travels through the conduit or pipe (not shown), into which the sprinkler heads are inserted, and down against the flat plug 9. The compression spring 5 is forced down by the pressure against the plug. The spring is so chosen so as not to be able to withstand the pressure in the line caused by the fluid. Since the plug is fiat it cannot balance in the center of a high pressure stream of water or other fire extinguishing fluid and because spring i is not guided along its entire length, immediate release of plug 9 is the result. Therefore the protective closure of plug 9 does not restrict the dispersion of the water at any angle. The water strikes the distributor head 5 and is dispersed at all angles in the form of a spray. Although the spring I may snap back to an upright position because of the guide 6, it will not interfere with the flow of water or other fluid against the distributor head 5.

While it is preferred to employ a temperature actuated mechanism for opening the valve to the sprinkler system, the valve may be also operated by hand. However, this would require observance of the fire before the system was put into operation. It should also be understood that the present invention is applicable wherever a dry pipe sprinkler system may be employed whether it be for fire protective purposes or not.

Thus by means of the present invention there is provided a suitable protective closure for dry sprinkler systems which prevents clogging and corrosion of the pipes but does not prevent the efiicient operation of the system when necessary. There is no danger of the sprinkler heads clogging in an emergency and the uninterrupted flow of fire-extinguishing fluid is assured.

The sprinkler heads of the present invention may be used in an upright or inverted position. The springs employed in the instant device may vary in compressive strength to conform to the fluid pressures at points of use. Under normal conditions a spring capable of exerting one pound pressure when compressed in place is satisfactory.

Teflon is a preferred material from which to make the protective closure since there i no danger of the same fusing and clogging the sprinkler head at elevated temperatures usually encountered before the sprinkler system is put into operation. However any other material which would not fuse at such temperatures would be satisfactory.

The device of the present invention not only prevents the corrosion of the pipe interior, thus alleviating any danger of clogging of the same due to rust, but it is also simple in construction and economically advantageous. Numerous other advantages will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. A sprinkler head for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a yoke with a, pipe fitting attached to one end thereof, a fluid discharge open ing extending through the pipe fitting and yoke, a disc-like protective closure member having a raised centering portion on one face thereof and extending into the discharge opening, said protective closure member being supported in position over the discharge opening by a helical compression spring one end of which extends into, but is unattached to, a recess in the face of the closure member opposite to that on which the raised centering portion is positioned, the other end of the spring bearing against the end of the yoke opposite the discharge opening, and a fluid distributor head rigidly fastened to said end of the yoke opposite the discharge opening.

2. A sprinkler head as defined in claim 1 wherein the disc-like protective closure member is made from polytetrafiuoroethylene.

VINCENT G. McGRAl/V.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 340,812 Neracher Apr. 2'7, 1886 1,515,664 Dunkelberger Nov. 18, 192 1- 1,686,8'75 Nelson et a1. Oct. 9, 1928 2,440,608 Hunter Apr. 27, 1948 2,502,754 Rowley Apr. 4, 1950 2,582,527 Burnett Jan. 15, 1952 

